Trump rejects Iran's seven-day plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz

What happened

US President Donald Trump has rejected a seven-day roadmap Iran submitted to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route that has been effectively closed since war broke out between the two countries in February.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Saturday, Trump said "I reject their proposal" and "I'm rejecting their deal," arguing Iran wants an agreement because it is "losing so badly." He said the US already had "total control" of the strait, with oil still passing through it.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had formally submitted the seven-day plan to the US via mediator Qatar on Friday, telling reporters at the UN in New York that the strait could reopen and normal maritime traffic resume if certain conditions were met. He said those conditions were based on a memorandum of understanding both countries signed in June, and reportedly included the US lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waiving sanctions on Iranian oil sales, releasing an estimated 12 billion US dollars in frozen Iranian assets, and a regional ceasefire covering Lebanon and Yemen.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran "no longer trusts" negotiations with Washington after previous rounds of talks were followed by attacks and sanctions, and denied Iran was responsible for blocking the strait, saying the US had "closed the routes before us." He said the crisis could still be resolved through negotiation rather than force, and that the waterway would reopen to commercial shipping if talks ended the war.

Key facts

• Trump rejected Iran's seven-day roadmap to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, telling reporters at the White House on Saturday
• Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran submitted the plan to the US via Qatar on Friday, speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York
• The Strait of Hormuz, through which around a fifth of the world's oil and gas supply usually flows, has been effectively closed since war broke out in February
• Iran's proposed conditions reportedly included the US lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ports and releasing an estimated 12 billion US dollars in frozen assets
• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran no longer trusts negotiations with the US and denied Iran was responsible for blocking the strait
• US media reports cited by the Wall Street Journal said Trump had told aides he expects a renewed bombing campaign after the November US midterm elections

What you need to know

• The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to normal commercial shipping
• Shipping data cited from analytics firm Kpler shows a recent 10-day average of about 18 transits a day through the strait, dropping as low as nine on some days
• The conflict has caused sharp swings in global energy prices, which may affect fuel costs

What happens next

Trump has indicated he does not expect a deal before the November US elections and has previously floated a further bombing campaign against Iran. Iran says the choice on reopening the strait "now rests with the United States," while officials from both sides continue talks through mediator Qatar.

Still to be confirmed

• Whether further negotiations or a new proposal will follow the rejection
• Whether the US will carry out the renewed military action reportedly discussed by Trump
• The exact current state of shipping traffic through the strait, as figures are described as fluctuating
• Whether the reported Saudi request for US military support in response to Houthi attacks is linked to the Hormuz standoff